High School Sports

SANTA CRUZ—It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. St. Francis High proved it Friday evening with four interceptions that resulted in three touchdowns, just in the first half alone. Senior running back Johrdan Garibay had another stellar night with three touchdowns...

The Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Sept. 2-8. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit nominations to sports editor Juan Reyes at [email protected].  Boys Dominic Pierini (Sr.), Monte Vista Christian The standout Mustangs quarterback completed 29 of...

This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of March 13-19. There was no sports ticker for the week of March 6-12 due to a large number of postponed and canceled games. Coaches and athletic...

Pajaro Valley senior Cesar Velazquez had one goal and three assists in the Grizzlies’ 6-0 crushing victory over Rancho San Juan in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division boys soccer action Monday. Juniors Raymond Mata and Andres Perez, along with freshmen Oscar Lopez, Julio Cruz...

Aptos High senior Eddie Alvarez wanted to prove this past season he was still the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s best returning soccer player in 2023-24. Last year’s all-league accolades stated otherwise, but nonetheless the Mariners’ standout was a force to be reckoned with anytime...

The St. Francis High baseball team entered last week’s Central Coast Section playoffs against The King’s Academy riding the high of a 15-game winning streak. It was a win-or-go-home scenario and, while both teams gave it all they had, the Knights concluded the Sharks’ season...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville High’s Abraham Bonilla was credited with the victory for the Wildcatz baseball team in its 10-2 win over Alvarez High in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division action on Thursday afternoon. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits and tallied four strikeouts, while...

Members of the Watsonville High girls’ basketball team weren’t sure whether they’d get a chance to compete in the Central Coast Section playoffs.  But the Wildcatz snuck their way into the Division I bracket technically as the No. 16 seed and will play at No....

APTOS—Aptos High senior Trent Nosky spent time over the summer logging in dozens of miles in hopes to improve on his endurance.  It’s something that he's seen as a weakness in the past. “I have a lot of speed but I don't have as much strength...

Monte Vista Christian senior Nico Downie was like a lightning bolt on the football field during the 2024 fall season, using his blazing speed to zip past defenders and into the end zone. The Mustangs’ star receiver led the Pacific Coast Athletic League with 1,619...